Sustainable intensification of cereal-based farming systems in Eastern and Southern Africa

Project Inception Workshop

6-9 February 2012, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

DAY 2 CLOSING

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Popcorn session with participants


One thing this project MUST do …


One thing we learned this week …




Comments:

Close:

• (Brady) The panel really pointed the way for the next 2 days and that was great for the thought process for this project.
• (Robert Asiedu): Very good reflection from the panel on what was discussed;
  • There was a big difference with the Tamale workshop where we were in the middle of the harmattan;
  • We were starting the workshop and had a smaller group to reflect;
  • We learnt lessons since then. Started well with the Minister's speech.
  • Another advantage here was listening to the various USAid missions in the region about the FtF activities: much broader perspective. The mapping was also very impressive. The rich diversity of partnerships is also a challenge: how to keep a coherent programme?
  • Good working groups to bring about a number of issues that weren't available in the concept notes.
  • Jerry's consistency and flexibility;
  • Challenged here also on the quantitative measures of performance and the drivers of intensification;
  • The next 2 days will be very intensive but I enjoyed the positive spirit of collaboration and trust this will continue.
  • Let's focus on the people we want to help. Maize, rice etc. are just along the way of the people.
  • The willingness and expertise will help us get absolute clarity when we leave here about the role we need to play etc.
  • Thank you everyone for your excellent participation.
• (Adebayo Abass, IITA)
  • We really appreciate the fact that you came with open minds and on behalf of IITA I would like to thank you all.
• (Rob Bertram, USAid)
  • It was striking yesterday morning with the Minister's speech, how it all changed;
  • He talked about so many things, water harvesting, irrigation, bio-technology etc.
  • We heard similar things in Tamale and Addis about the investment and policy climate;
  • The issue of the context is becoming a clear focus;
  • The impact challenge and how we connect with a wider set of partners (major value chains, NARS, NGOs etc.) - as we go forward I hope we'll see these linkages come to the fore;
  • Stan - where might spillovers appear?
  • It's impressive to see how much is going on in this region - but there are also imbalances e.g. fewer livestock projects. People make investments around livestock (it's an asset);
  • Gratifying to hear the comments at the end and that sense of the collective emerging;
  • Good work by Elizabeth's group which also laid out the nutrition challenge - agric and nutrition is an important challenge to keep track of;
  • Gender, climate etc. are critical and in the next 2 days we'll drill down on these issues;
  • Thanks to IITA and everybody else for participating (NARS, CRSPs reps etc. and CGIAR) - we look forward to going together in the next 2 days and several years;
  • The time is ripe for the work we're doing - the whole world's thinking about ag productivity. We have to really draw on the knowledge, tech, policy, management practices we have to guide that reflection and work;
  • Purpose-driven research? I think that's what we're talking about;
  • We talked a lot about Tanzania but we'll also focus on Malawi and Zambia;
• (Dr. Myaka, MoA)
  • Thank you for coming over to Tanzania;
  • We are now more together than before;
  • We look forward to working with you collectively, rather than individually with each organization;
  • For those travelling, safe journey and we look forward to meeting you again.
• (Mulugeta, CIMMYT)
  • Great to see this intensive collaboration with other CG colleagues;
  • Thanks USAid for this work to serve more farmers.
• (Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon, IITA)
  • It was emphasised that we haven't yet discussed who does what, what we will and can deliver etc. but that is the target for the next 2 days.
  • This evening is the cutting of our program;
  • Thank you everybody for your participation and good spirit, great contributions. I now see much more clearly where we're headed when at the end of the Tamale workshop I was slightly more frustrated;
  • Logistical announcements: drinks and snacks at the poolside at 6pm. We still offer the opportunity to go out for dinner.